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Scientists develop cartilage-like tissue from stem cells: Hindustan Times
Hyderabad, Aug 26: US researchers at the John Hopkins University (JHU) have caused stem cells from adult goats to grow into tissue that resembles cartilage, a key step towards creating a minimally invasive procedure that may one day be used to repair injured knees, noses and other body parts.
Hyderabad, Aug 26: US researchers at the John Hopkins University (JHU) have caused stem cells from adult goats to grow into tissue that resembles cartilage, a key step towards creating a minimally invasive procedure that may one day be used to repair injured knees, noses and other body parts.
A JHU press release said in this method, doctors would inject a fluid filled with stem cells and nutrients into damaged tissue, then use light to harden the liquid into a stable gel.
Although human testing remains years away, the researchers believe stem cells within the gel will multiply and form new bone or cartilage to replace the injured tissue.
The researchers have conducted lab experiments that turned stem cells within a gel into cartilage-like tissue. The team expects to begin testing the process on mice this winter, says Jennifer Elisseeff, who is leading a multi-disciplinary tissue engineering team of JHU.
The press release said that the team's goal is to develop a new way to deliver and control the behaviour of adult stem cells to restore bone and cartilage that has been damaged by disease or injury or is impaired by a genetic defect.
"If the lab results can be replicated in humans, patients would end up with living tissue rather than metal or plastic replacement parts", it said.
In theory, patients preparing for cartilage or bone repairs would be able to donate their own stem cells prior to the procedure, reducing the likelihood of infection and tissue rejection, the release added.
A JHU press release said in this method, doctors would inject a fluid filled with stem cells and nutrients into damaged tissue, then use light to harden the liquid into a stable gel.
Although human testing remains years away, the researchers believe stem cells within the gel will multiply and form new bone or cartilage to replace the injured tissue.
The researchers have conducted lab experiments that turned stem cells within a gel into cartilage-like tissue. The team expects to begin testing the process on mice this winter, says Jennifer Elisseeff, who is leading a multi-disciplinary tissue engineering team of JHU.
The press release said that the team's goal is to develop a new way to deliver and control the behaviour of adult stem cells to restore bone and cartilage that has been damaged by disease or injury or is impaired by a genetic defect.
"If the lab results can be replicated in humans, patients would end up with living tissue rather than metal or plastic replacement parts", it said.
In theory, patients preparing for cartilage or bone repairs would be able to donate their own stem cells prior to the procedure, reducing the likelihood of infection and tissue rejection, the release added.